Teddy Bears by Hermann

Johann Hermann, who was born in a small village just outside of Sonneberg, Germany, started to make wooden violins for children, a tradition of 200 years in his village.  In 1907, however, he stopped making violins and, for some reason, decided to set up a soft toy making business, along with the help of his family.  Quite why he had the idea to begin this, I have no idea, according to the history books,  I don't think anyone really knows.

Johann's son, Bernhard, the first of his children, as well as helping his Father decided he also wanted to set up in business on his own.  Bernhard had trained in business and commerce.  In 1912 he started his new business and called it BEHA, being simply a phonetic of his initials.  However, soon afterwards, the First World War began and Bernhard was called up to fight – he was actually sent to France.  Along with all the other problems caused by war to the business, shortages of materials simply added to all the difficulties.

By the 1920's, the business had recovered and was once again in full swing and Bernhard's business produced some very high quality Teddy Bears, who were made of high quality mohair and who had glass eyes and many of which were stuffed with wood wool.   Some much cheaper Teddy Bears were produced, usually by outworkers.

Bernhard's business became well established for the production of good quality toys and Teddy Bears.  However, despite the quality toys being produced, Germany during the 1920's were not easy times, as the country was in the grip of a depression.  By this time too, both England and the United States were also producing some very good quality Teddy Bears, this hit the company hard, however, despite the odds being against him, Bernhard's toy company survived.

 In 1925, dolls were introduced to the range of soft toys and Teddy Bears, one of the most popular lines being the nevue dolls.  These dolls were also commonly known as bed dolls, they were made for adults, mostly being for the U.S. market, they were dolls made of cloth who had long and rather dangly legs and were dressed in the styles of the times.  Some of these very collectible dolls was even made with a cigarette between their lips (a very fashionable statement of those times).

Then along came the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.  Once again materials were in very short supply and many of the factory workers were conscripted.  Nevertheless, despite all the problems, the factory carried on production throughout the war years.

However, this was not to be the end of the company's troubles.  The post-war years also brought it's problems too, Sonneberg being in the eastern part of Germany.  It seemed likely that this would result in the company being nationalised.  Bernhard's son, Werner helped his Father search for a new location for the factory and finally he came across a location in Hirschaid.  At first all Teddy Bear production came from a small workshop that was set up in a local bar room.  Soon, however, a new factory was built.

In 1953, Bernhard's family made the move themselves.  Bernhard's sons, Hellmut, Artur and Werner, all being involved in their Father's business.  The business became known as Teddy-Pluschspielwarenfabrik Gebr.  Hermann KG (Hermann Brothers Company, Manufacturers of Teddy Bears and Soft Toys).  Soon the business began to grow once more.

Today, the management is in the hands of the fourth generation of the Hermann Family, the name of the company now being Teddy-Hermann.

Whilst writing this article, I would just mention that a second Hermann soft toy company was set up by Johann Hermann's other son, Max, which today is still in business.  This company also make Teddy Bears under the name of Hermann-Spielwarren.

For reasons I don't know, it seems that when Bernhard set up his own soft toy company, his siblings did the same, Artur, Max and his sister Adelheid started companies making Teddy Bears.  Max set up the company, Max Hermann, Sonneberg.  M aheso, the company's trademark was incorporated in the early 1930's.  This was a green triangle and a bear and dog on a lead.  Part of this logo is still used today, although the Hermann name replaces the Mahesco trademark.